My Fair Dork by Daisy Harris - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

The Menagerie welcomes the very talented author Daisy Harris to the blog today on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions!! We're excited to showcase her latest release, a M/M romance titled "My Fair Dork" and interview her.

Even better, Daisy will be awarding a large-size dildo, a scented penis candle, as well as a $20 gift certificate to the winner’s choice of Barnes and Noble or Amazon to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so leave one today and then follower her tour to increase your chances of winning. Her tour posts are listed here.

Now, on to the good stuff!

Describe yourself in three words.

Spunky, funny, motivated. I’d add unorganized, but that would be four. *G*

Cast your book. Tell us who would play the main characters in a movie and why.

Hmm. I’m not really sure. I generally look at stock images to get ideas for my main characters. A big reason for this is that it’s easier for me to fine-tune a character’s appearance to a stock image that matches than it is to find a stock image to match a character’s appearance.

I suppose Harold Jacobs would be played by a teenage Patrick Dempsey. Teenage Patrick Dempsey was not only dorky, but also self conscious and slightly manic. Though Harold is calmer, his mind always goes a mile a minute. So that high-strung energy would suit him. Or, I could see him played by Anthony Michael Hall. But AMH was a little TOO manic for Harold’s personality.

Owen McKenzie would be played by teenage Emilio Estevez. Or perhaps Avan Jogia (to give a more modern example.) Emilio Estevez looks more like him, but Avan Jogia has that effortless star quality.

What’s your favorite love scene from a movie?

My favorite movie kiss of all time was the scene in The Breakfast Club where Molly Ringwald sneaks into the closet where Vernon is keeping Judd Nelson. As you may have gathered, I have a thing for 80’s high school movies.

What’s your wildest fantasy?

I’m a pretty wild person, so my fantasies are pretty tame. A man who takes out the garbage without being asked, children who clean their rooms… It’s the simple things that feel like the hardest to attain.

If you were to lose one of your senses, which would you rather lose and why? 

I could do without my hearing. Things often feel too loud to me and I prefer to read than to listen. I supposed I’d have to learn sign language, and that would take some work. But I’m a much more visual person than an auditory one.

What is the naughtiest thing you did as a kid?

I was a goody-two-shoes child, but a horrible teenager. Basically, I turned from Hermione Granger into Joan Jett in Jr. High. I snuck out, drank, ran around with boys. Honestly, it was a much wilder time than it is now. All the teenagers I know now are honest and good. They hardly do anything wrong.

My husband sometimes worries about the trouble our daughters will get into when they’re older, but I remind him that if I survived my youth, they’re certain to make it to 20 unscathed.

Quickies:

Boxers or Briefs?

I prefer boxer-briefs, best of both worlds, and the guys on the ads for them are mega-hot.

Top or Bottom?

I’ve always assumed everyone wants to bottom. In fact, it’s funny because in my 6th Holsum College book, Pride and Politics, the characters delve into some D/s stuff at the end and while some readers loved that aspect to the story, others felt like they were surprised that my hero Steve would want to be a sub in that relationship.

But, I figured—doesn’t everyone want to be the sub in a D/s relationship? Personally, I’m not into BDSM at all, but it seems like everyone on the planet wants to be spanked and bossed around and fucked. So when a couple readers said, “He didn’t seem like that kind of guy”, I was like, “Aren’t all guys that kind of guy when given a chance?”

See, his co-hero Hunter is such a cold, harsh, bossy person. It seemed like a waste for anyone to be with Hunter and not take advantage of that part of his personality. Like, I’m a great cook. My husband isn’t “the kind of guy” to expect his wife to cook all the time. But, I am a good cook, so he avails himself of my skills.

Of course, my thoughts on the top/bottom dynamic leads to the occasional fight for the bottom in early drafts of my stories, when my characters are all, “No, you top!”, “Oh no, I don’t need to, I’m happy for YOU to top.” But I generally get that all worked out by the time I’m reading to submit the story.

Pajamas or nude?

Pajamas. For myself at least. I’m perfectly happy for my characters to sleep nude.

Hairy chests or smooth?

I’ve always preferred hairless guys. The first love of my life was Asian, and hence had no body hair, and my husband, though white, is pretty low on the body hair scale.

However, I am not a fan of manscaping. Stubble is way worse than hair, and I hate it when I see a romance cover with a guy who’s supposed to be rough and ready and all barbaric, and I can see his bikini wax is growing out.

:::Shivers and gags:::

The older I get, the more I appreciate some fur on a guy. But maybe that’s because my husband, though smooth for a guy of forty, is getting fuzzier with each passing year.

Alpha or Beta?

Beta all the way. I like my heroes funny, sarcastic, neurotic, tentative, and sweet. Confession: I’ve never been one for contemporary male-female romance, because I can’t stand the hardcore alpha males.

The obligatory spanking (and/or shaming) scene? Ew, ew, ew!

A major reason I write M/M romance is that I like my characters to be equals. Or at least to have the potential to be equals. I’ll never write a book like 50 Shades of Grey, but so be it. I like my men nice. Well, except for Hunter Ford. I like him when he’s an ass.

They say a guy can never be too hung. Well, Harold Jacobs doesn’t know who they are, but they’re wrong. Socially awkward for as long as he can remember, Harold feels his enormous package is just one more thing to be embarrassed about. Especially once hunky and popular Owen McKenzie notices it in the showers.

Owen knows he’s bi, but he keeps that secret close to his chest. He likes Harold, and wants to help him shed his dorky image and maybe even find a boyfriend. Still, Owen can’t stop obsessing about Harold’s equipment. And much as he doesn’t want to flip-flop on his sexuality, Owen does want to test-drive what Harold has between his legs.

Their friendship erupts into full-blown lust. But can Owen accept the loss of his golden child status and be Harold’s boyfriend? And can Harold outgrow his insecurity in time to keep the man he loves?

He put his hands on the girl’s hips and started to sway into her from behind. They weren’t the only people three-way dancing, so it didn’t feel too weird. But Harold still kept his eyes closed so he wouldn’t have to see Owen staring at him across the barrier of the girl’s presence.

It wasn’t bad, pressing against her back. She was soft, and her ass squishy. The round globes of it kept bumping into Harold’s hips. But he wasn’t too bothered. She smelled like perfume, and felt more like cuddling into a comfy blanket than anything remotely sexual. Harold was happy not to be worried about getting an erection for once in his life.

The girl leaned back and hooked her hand back behind Harold’s head. Then Owen followed suit. First his hand covered hers, and then Owen eased his hand to the side, so he was cupping Harold’s nape.

And Harold sprung wood. It happened so fast that he was grinding it up into the girl’s butt crack before he even realized what was going on.

He tucked his hips back, and wrenched his head out of Owen’s hold. Harold pulled away from the two of them, but although he wanted to storm out of the party like he had from Eta Xi, he held back. After all, for once he’d gotten a boner while touching a girl. It must have been some kind of miracle.

“Wow.” The girl gave him a flirty wink. She’d never stopped dancing, though she moved away from Owen to come to his front. “Is that a salami in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?”

Birkenstock-wearing glamour girl and mother of two by immaculate conception, Daisy Harris still isn't sure if she writes erotica. Her romances start out innocently enough. However, her characters behave like complete sluts. Much to Miss Harris's dismay the sex tends to get completely out of hand.

She writes about fantastical creatures and about young men getting their freak on, and she's never missed an episode of The Walking Dead.

Links:
My website: www.thedaisyharris.com
Twitter: @thedaisyharris
Siren Page: http://www.bookstrand.com/daisy-harris
Book buy link: http://www.bookstrand.com/my-fair-dork

As Advertised by Jaime Samms - Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway

The Menagerie welcomes author Jaime Samms to the blog today on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions!! We're excited to showcase her latest release, "As Advertised" and interview her.

Even better, Jaime and Wild Child Publishing will be awarding a $10 Wild Child Publishing GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so leave one today and then follower her tour to increase your chances of winning. Her tour posts are listed here.

Now, on to the good stuff!

Describe yourself in three words.

Busy. Creative. Caffeinated.

Cast your book. Tell us who would play the main characters in a movie and why.

Oooh. Good question. Okay, as Tyler’s new love interest, clean-cut Steven, a totally, pumped up Ryan Reynolds would fit the bill. And as Tyler’s ex, Jake, well, Jake Gyllenhaal, because he can pull off the over-the-top sex appeal, and the endearing puppy-was-a-bad-bad-boy look, and underneath, you know he could play the really nasty shit. And finally, for Tyler himself, I’d pick Heath Ledger. Heath will always be my darling. But since I probably wouldn’t be able to cast a movie from beyond the grave, I’ll choose Ben Affleck, since, just like Tyler, even when he tries to look tough, he looks goofy and adorable.

What’s your favorite love scene from a movie?

It’s not even a love scene, but in the movie Goldfish Memory, there is a kiss, between Red and David. However, I do have to admit, the lesbian love scene in the same movie is really rather well done, and I quite enjoyed it.

What’s your wildest fantasy?

I put most of them in my books, in some form or another. Afraid you’ll just have to go look! :-P

If you were to lose one of your senses, which would you rather lose and why?

Smell, I suppose. My sense of smell is already rather dismal, so it wouldn’t be that great a loss.

What is the naughtiest thing you did as a kid?

I was a very good kid. I swear!!! Plus, my mom might read this, and we all want her to live on oblivious. It’s just better for everyone that way.

Quickies:

Boxers or Briefs? Boxer briefs, actually.
Top or Bottom? Oh, definitely bottom.
Pajamas or nude? nude
Hairy chests or smooth? Both? At once if at all possible. Oh. Right. Mom might be reading…scratch that.
Alpha or Beta? Beta.

Tyler’s life perked up when he met Jake. So what if long-time friend Marty can’t stand him and his landlady has no use for his new beau. Tyler’s determined not to see the dark side of his lover. It’s his own fault for believing people don’t go around keeping secrets and lying.

Tyler should know better. He’s an ad executive. He knows the packaging is what sells, and Jake is quite a package. His lover is no slouch when it comes to false advertising, either, and when Tyler finds out the truth, it hurts. Weathering Jake’s lies and secrets gets easier with the help of new friends, Libby and Steven. In fact, Tyler figures that maybe a lot of things would get easier with Steven.

Tyler should have known better. Not even someone as seemingly perfect as Steven Jessop is completely as advertised.

This time, though, Tyler has to make a decision. After all, sometimes, even if what you see is not what you get, what Tyler’s uncovered in Steven might just be what he’s always wanted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jaime has been writing for various publishers since the fall of 2008, although she's been writing for herself far longer. Often asked why men; what’s so fascinating about writing stories about men falling in love, she's never come up with a clear answer. Just that these are the stories that she loves to read, so it seemed to make sense if she was going to write, they should also be the stories she wrote.

These days, you can find plenty of free reading on her website. She also writes for Freya’s Bower, Loveyoudivine Alterotica, Pink Petal Books, Dreamspinner Press and Total E-Bound.

Spare time, when it can be found rolled into a ball at the back of the dryer or cavorting with the dust bunnies in the corners, she's probably spending reading, drawing, gardening (weather permitting, of course, since she is Canadian!) or watching movies. Well. She has a day job or two, as well, and two kids, but thankfully, also a wonderful husband who shoulders more than his fair share of household and child care responsibilities.

She graduated some time ago from college with a Fine Arts diploma, with a major in textile arts, which basically qualifies her to draw pictures and create things with string and fabric. One always needs an official slip of paper to fall back on after all....

Website: http://jaime-samms.net/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000982219151&ref=tn_tnmn
Livejournal:http://dontkickmycane.livejournal.com/
Deviantart: http://dontkickmycane.deviantart.com/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/JaimeSamms
Amazon Author page: amazon.com/author/jaimesamms

The Cover Faery Stopped by!

Love doesn't always happen according to plan. Some guys have all the luck and some guys love the pain. Slash Gunderson knows that feeling well. His place behind the drums for Glow is a dream come true. Can he accept his need for kink and the man who makes his heart beat? Hiram Moline loves his job as the head of security for Glow. He's also in love with Slash. There's one major glitch -- someone has been sending Slash threatening letters. Hiram's not about to let anything happen to Slash. Can he convince Slash they've got something strong or will the stalker get the upper hand?

Available soon from Changeling Press! I don't know about you, but i'm really thrilled with this cover. The band is all punk, so it works so well. Thanks Renee!!!!

Hold on My Heart

I wasn't really sure what to write about either, mostly because I've been sick for the past couple days. The CB's have made me feel VERY good while I'm recovering. Stupid colds anyway.

I thought I'd loan them out to Kealie since she's been away awhile and I'm sure they are tired of my sick butt.

Anyway, since I've not been feeling my best and have been sleeping, it's been nice. My brain is fuzzy, but not as fuzzy as normal. (Well the normal I've lived in for the last couple days.) I started thinking about the final story in my Glow Band series. I don't really want to end it, I mean, I love hanging out with these characters. Plus, doing extra research on punk/rock bands has been a blast. But all good things must come to an end. Glow series included.

So I'm up to Hiram and Slash's story. And the reason why I titled the post Hold On My Heart. Hiram serves as one of the body guards for the band. He kicks some serious butt. He also happens to be the brother of the lead singer. Far as he's concerned, he's got no musical ability and no super qualities to him. Don't get me wrong, doesn't mean he's a boring guy. He's 6'6" and weighs 220. You're not gonna miss him in a room. But what he does have his a heaping helping dose of shyness. He can deal in social situations if a) emotions aren't involved and b) he can beat the crap out of someone. What he doesn't realize is that Slash is very much attracted to him because he's not pretentious and he's authentic - when he finally says something. Hiram is also a realist. He's seen his brother find his counterpart. He witnessed the disgustingly sweet way his sister found her counterpart. He knows it happens. What he's not about to do is fall for a guy who plays drums in a punk band and is willing (or so he thinks) to drop his drawers for any piece of ass to walk past.

I'm not hearing a lot from Hiram other than he's happy to bag it, tag it and keep his heart nice and tucked away. Slash has been the one talking to me most. He keeps telling me he's got to hold on and that his heart, though ready and willing to go to Hiram, is going to have to wait a little bit.

So that's where I'm at. Working on them, thinking about what they will do and let me make them do. Thoughts?

CBs? I'm in need of refreshment!

New Reviews!

Foxglove has love for Megan's work this week on Long and Short Erotic Reviews. I'm smilin'. 4.5 stars on both books. That's some love. Megan's books got some great quotes and well, read on.
Click here to go to LAS Erotic Reviews AFTER you read the post. :-)






Livia was cast out of heaven for the crime of falling in love with a human. So what's a fallen angel to do when she meets the man of her dreams? Falling certainly has its perks.

Ty didn't expect the angel at his party to be fallen or to have a murky past. He also didn't expect her to end up in his arms. Now he's not about to let the past stand in the way of their future.

"As I said, this is a story of second chances. True ones like Livia and Ty and false ideas of trickery and evil intent aimed at Livia. Just when things look bad for our hero and heroine, forces at work help Livia find her true calling. This is a tale for those who like a bit of fantasy with their happily-ever-after."

Click here to read the full review.
Click here to buy the book.

Raylan believed himself unworthy of love until he met Chase. Chase brought out Raylan’s natural need to control and the power to force submission. But time and distance make having a relationship hard. Can Raylan prove to Chase they have what it takes for love to last through this Christmas and every other Christmas for the rest of their lives?

Chase found the muse for his songs in Raylan. Each time they touch, kiss, make love, music fills his soul. But working odd gigs to make ends meet while Raylan photographs rock and roll royalty isn’t beneficial to Chase’s creativity. Can he convince Raylan they’re better off together than apart?

"Chase and Raylan are great together, but they are also major ‘drama queens’ where their emotions are involved. This is the story of a new relationship, and the pitfalls that can come between two people in love if they aren’t careful. I really enjoyed the little things these two did for each other, and there is one big surprise Raylan has for Chase that I don’t want to reveal here. But it is the high point of the story, that one perfect moment when you just know these two have something real and beautiful between them.

I recommend this to those who love happy ever after, but one warning: tissues and ice in equal measures are needed for this one."

Click here to read the full review.
Click here to buy the book.

Under and Over It - Up for Book of the Month!!!

Under and Over It is up for Book of the Month over at Long and Short Erotic Reviews. I'd be thrilled to earn your vote. So get out there and make a selection!
http://www.whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2012/02/january-book-of-month-poll.html

Here's the cover and blurb:

Regan Finley's photography makes the local music scene shine. He's four months from his final exhibition and graduation. But instead of preparing for the party, he's fretting about his exhibition theme -- bondage and passion. There's one person he wants to make his exhibition come to life, if he can convince his housemate to participate.

Camryn Tate plays the music that makes the young girls scream. He likes being a local rock hero. When he finds out what Regan wants for the exhibition, Cam has to make a decision. He can let Regan have his commanding way and get the pictures he needs for the exhibition, or he can walk away from the best roommate and friend he's ever known... all because of a little ball of nylon rope.

Get your copy here!

Is MM More Mainstream or Are We More Tolerant?

I wasn't sure what to write about this week, but this crossed my mind. Why? I'm seeing a lot more MM becoming more mainstream. That's awesome.

But I wondered if it was that the gay culture is more mainstream or is it that we as a people are more tolerant?

I was watching American Horror Story and love the gay couple subplot. It's great and it shows the characters (IMHO) in a natural light. Yes, they fight. Yes, they get silly, but you feel the fading love they had for each other. Plus it's kinda fun to watch them spar.

Now this isn't the only gay show on tv. Sheesh. Far from it. Logo is all about LBGT. That's fantastic. There's the A-List NY and Dallas, both of which crack me up because those manly men (and this is meant in all love and respect) are so girly sometimes it's hilarious.

There are the designers on Project Runway and the characters that crop up on prime time.

This also translates into books. MM is really, REALLY big right now. I'm glad. I love those stories. Its a romance and men are doing hinky things, I'm there.

Now I wonder, and feel free to chime in on this, is it that we are more tolerant and accepting of everyone or is it a bit of market chasing? Okay, so people tune in when there are gay couples. That's fine. They buy MM books because they want to broaden their spectrum. Fabulous. Now we see the statistics for books and flix with MM in them. The numbers can be staggering. People want their gay men. But when is the story/show less about the characters and more about the titillation?

There are a lot of authors out there who write quality MM work. They tackle tough LBGT issues and really make a statement. There are those who can write MM angst like no one's business.

Then there are those stories where it sure seems like Johnny was originally June and made a Johnny because the story would sell better.

There's lots of authors who are strictly or mainly MM writers. But there's a lot more wandering over. They are dabbling. Is this because they truly want to write MM or because they are, and I hate this phrase, market chasing? I had a friend who generally writes sensual romance. This person doesn't read or write erotic. When this person heard there is gold in them thar LBGT hills, the decision was made to write MM. Is this reason enough?

How do we stop this chasing and how do we ensure that the reader is getting quality work? I can tell you from personal experience, just because there are two men rather than a man and a woman, doesn't make it easier to sell the book to a house. It's not. In fact, lots of places who publish a lot of LBGT are really HARD to get into.

I'm glad.

What are your thoughts? Is it because it's more mainstream? Because we're more accepting? Or something else?

Friday Fun With Megan...Talking Turkey?

Ok, so I'm not really writing about talking turkeys, but I got your attention. Ha!

As I sit here to write this post, I can honestly say I am baffled. I have no idea what to write. I've found about thirteen things to do OTHER than write the post...

Write on my WIP

Get bored and stare into space

Focus on Transformers cartoon

Text Kealie

Worry about the EDJ

Wander over to Yahoo

Wander over to Hunk Du Jour to drool at Matthew Morrison

Wipe up drool from the drool fest

Stare at computer

Listen to a tractor outside

Wonder what the farmer on said tractor looks like

Wonder if said farmer has a hankering for his pal on the fender

Attempt to reel in overactive imagination--we're talking a hot afternoon, jug of icy water, full wagon of baled straw, two hunks shining with sweat and a couple of erections for good measure...yeah, I got a little...um...distracted

Sadly, I gave you a Friday Thirteen...nothing about Turkeys, a view into the mind of a slightly distracted author and a Friday Post.

I'm off to work on that farmer story. I mean, why not?

NEWS!!!!

Yessir, that's right, I sold Permanent to Total-E-Bound. I'm psyched. Not sure when it will come out, but hey, I'm stoked. Feels good knowing it was good enough that an editor wanted it.

More details to come, but here's the blurb:

Sometimes love just ain’t enough...

River Cortland trusted the person he loved. His faith couldn’t protect him from the bitter sting of a cold-hearted Domme. If he’s going to learn to trust again, he’s got to deal with his past. His roommate and best friend, Tory, has seen the physical damage and hasn’t walked away. Can he deal with the emotional scars as well?

Tory McClellan wanted the carefree life...until one night with River changed everything. There’s more to the shy art teacher and Tory wants to know everything-how he tastes, the scent of his skin, the feel of his body as they make love. What terror lies behind River’s brown eyes? Better yet, how can Tory make the sadness go away and be in River’s live, permanently?

Contains flashbacks of a rape, m/m, anal sex, light bondage, spanking.

Take Me Home!!!

I switched with Mysti this week because....I have a free read!!


Want to read a saucy male-male story? Then you're in the right place. Click the cover and you can read my free read Take Me Home. I love these characters and hope you enjoy them, too. Let me know what you think!

WhIPS

Had a few things on my mind. Won't get into all of them here. Not enough time and I'd hate to bore you with the wanderings in the old attic.

I'll talk about the WIP instead.

The WIP is still with the CP--which that's actually a good thing, since I heard from her and she thinks it's right on track (finally). I love my man stories and was ready to work on another. Now the above picture got my brain going. There's a scene in Permanent where River and Tory watch a BDSM scene. I thought, yanno, the guys involved could have their own story. Wouldn't that be fun? Yup, you guessed it. Brain switched into overdrive. Now there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything down.

What do you do when the brain goes at warp speed, but the rest of you is going normal pace?

Tell me so I can get a better handle on the muses. Boy, those men love to play.

Back to the WhIPs...I mean, WhIPS....Freudian slip...WIPS. There.

WIP and Stuff

I can't really build on what Mysti said yesterday because, well, she's right. Although I totally scored with the Han Solo line.

I posted this on my personal blog yesterday, but I thought it bore repeating.

Permanent went to anther CP. I dunno if I talked about the first one. This is in no means meant to be bashing. Please don't take it that way, but she really ribboned the story. "You're a nice person. I'm not. You're nice to your characters. I'm not."

Geesh.

But yanno, she's right. I am way too nice to my characters. Why? I guess because I don't want them really hurting or to come off as jerks. Guess Mom really made sure I remembered the 'do unto others as you'd have done to you' line.
"This is fine for gay fiction, but not romance with a R."

Ouch, but again, she's right. Tory was wayyyyyyyy tooooo nice and really wasn't reacting like a man would. Boy, do I feel dumb. I mean, I thought I was totally in these guys' heads. I guess I was, but not nearly deep enough.

We'll see what the second CP says, but now I'm wondering if the ending wasn't too easy. Ugh. I hate the uncertainty. And it only gets worse. If second CP thinks it's ready to send, then it gets a final polish...and then eeekkk.... the submissions process.

I need something stiff.

Boys?

Choices, Choices...

So I'm trying to decide where I want to send my submission. It's still waiting for a little more polish and such, but I'm wondering what pub is the right one for me, and for it.

Plus a little tiny part of me is scared to death to send it in. I had a good friend tell me, well, you never know until you send it. Go with your gut and just see what happens.

So why does this scare me? Because I've seen what another friend has been through. She had a sub she thought was spot on and it was rejected. Sure, it had been a resub, but it was still kicked out. Is it spot on? I thought so. I mean, I read it, was drawn in, and wanted to know what would happen.

Will people think that with mine?

I dunno.

Thoughts? The knees are a-quakin'. I'm open for suggestions, comments, advice, whatever you can throw at me (as long as it doesn't hit me in the head.)

Sending it Out into the World...What if...?

So...I've got this neat little WIP. I've worked and worked on it to make it shine. Well, shine in my opinion. It's time to get it out of my computer and get it into the hands of a CP.

Here's the scary part. Well, the first scary part. I've worked and worked on this short story. I love the characters and feel like they are not only a part of me, but a part of my family. I've heard some authors say their books are like their children. I wouldn't say Tory and River are my children, but rather some damn sexy men I got out of the closet.

I've known the sting of working on a story and polishing the diamond only to find it's a very clean turd. Blunt, but the truth. I hate working on something and finding out there is a huge plot hole or a gigantic TSTL moment or something in it. Drives me crazy.

So, I'm scared. I love Tory, but I'm uncertain that he doesn't come off a little too good to be true. It's possible, but will readers buy into his feelings. And then there's River. This guy has been put through the ringer at the hands of another person. I want to make sure the reader feels his feelings and can understand him. I want them to like both men.

(I'm shaking a little here.) So, out into the world it goes.

How do you deal with the stress? Ladies? I'm asking you, too. How do you cope and feel less twitchy when the work you've slaved over has gone out to be picked apart?

I'm game to know, so I can at least keep myself occupied. (Well, the boys have offered several creative suggestions, and I'm completely open to trying the suggestions, but that's neither here nor there.)

Resolutions....

So yesterday Mysti asked if anyone had any resolutions. I do. I want to have a story pubbed. I mean really pubbed.

I've got two going (Well three). One's M/M, one's M/F with BDSM elements, and one (a set of four eventually) with Kealie.

M/M one is done...not polished and not edited enough to send anywhere, but it's done.

So that's my resolution. To get at least one story pubbed this year. It's a goal I've got anyway, so why not make it a resolution and something I can hypothetically achieve. (Don't want to toot my own horn or undercut myself...that's the best on the fence I can come up with.)

Stop back tomorrow for our First Hottie of the New Year. Oh, and the poll for Best Hottie of 2010 is coming very soon. Promise.

MANLOVE!!!!

Got your attention? Good.

Kealie and I are indeed working hard on a story (a set, to be exact) and it's a little slow, but sheesh, that cross country trek takes a bit of time.

But since I can't just work on one thing at a time, I also have a manlove story I'm working on. Yup. River and Tory just won't leave me alone. Not really a huge problem. I'm rather fond of them, too.

But I gotta tell ya, without the boys for help, I'd be a little lost. True, love is love, no matter what the critter/person looks like, but (last time the boys checked) I'm not a guy. I've got all the right girlie parts (a little more in some places than others--that's life), so I know what a girl would like. But boys? Oy.

Good thing the boys are fountains of info. Good thing I have a wild imagination. :)

I don't have the slightest idea if the story will fly, but I'm having a great time chattering and dealing with River and Tory, so it's not a hardship to me.

But I've gotta go. Got to get back to writing. I've got a goal and I don't want to blow it.

er.....

bad pun....

Oh well. (I can hear Kealie snickering all the way over here.)

Ta!